Santiago Gimenez marked his AC Milan debut with a goal as the Rossoneri triumphed 2-0 at Empoli in Serie A on Saturday, with both teams finishing the match with 10 men.
The 23-year-old Mexico striker, who joined from Feyenoord in January, sealed the win with a classy strike in the 76th minute after Rafael Leao’s header gave Milan the lead just eight minutes earlier. Milan’s victory lifted them to seventh in the Serie A standings, five points behind the Champions League spots, with a game in hand.
The match took a dramatic turn after Milan’s Fikayo Tomori was sent off for a second yellow card shortly after halftime. However, Empoli’s Luca Marianucci followed soon after with a straight red for kicking out at Gimenez. Leao’s opening goal had already put Milan on track for a crucial win.
Gimenez’s goal was a boost not just for Milan, but also for the striker as he prepares to face his former club Feyenoord in the Champions League play-offs on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Atalanta’s Mateo Retegui scored four goals in their impressive 5-0 win at Verona. Retegui’s hat-trick in the first half and a fine volley in the 56th minute brought his season tally to 20 goals, helping Atalanta close the gap on Serie A leaders Napoli, who play Udinese on Sunday.
Atalanta remain in the title race, though they would fall seven points behind Napoli should the leaders win. Inter Milan, currently one point ahead of Atalanta, will face Fiorentina on Monday after their midweek defeat to the Viola.
